China's top legislature began discussions Wednesday of several major draft laws and amendments which include the topics of food safety and criminal law.

The seventh session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), opened in Beijing Wednesday, presided over by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

The draft Law on Food Safety had its fourth reading and the draft amendment to the Criminal Law had its third reading.

Discussions began on the draft amendment to the Insurance Law, a treaty with Peru on judicial assistance on civil and commercial affairs, an extradition treaty with Mexico and a consular accord with Japan.

Participants also deliberated a draft report on the work of the 11th NPC Standing Committee, the agenda of the second 11th NPC session, the draft presidium and secretary-general name list, and a draft name list of non-voting delegates of the session.

An important task of the four-day session is to prepare for the upcoming parliament full session, the Second Session of the 11th NPC, scheduled to open March 5.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2009)